Description of Love, by Venus

Though old in cunning, as in years,
He is so small, that like a child
In face and form, the god appears,
A nd sportive like a boy, and wild;
Lightly he moves from place to place,
In none at rest, in none content;
Delighted some new toy to chase —
On childish purpose ever bent.
Beware! to childhood's spirit gay
Is added more than childhood's power;
And you perchance may rue the hour
That saw you join his seeming play.
He quick is anger'd, and as quick
His short-lived passion's over past,
Like summer lightnings, flashing thick,
But flying ere a bolt is cast.
I've seen, myself, as 'twere together,
Now joy, now grief assume its place,
Shedding a sort of April weather,
Sunshine and rain upon his face.
His curling hair floats on the wind,
Like Fortune's, long and thick before,
And rich and bright as golden ore:
Like hers, his head is bald behind.
His ruddy face is strangely bright,
It is the very hue of fire,
The inward spirit's quenchless light,
The glow of many a soft desire.
He hides his eye that keenly flashes,
But sometimes steals a thrilling glance
From 'neath his drooping silken lashes,
And sometimes looks with eye askance;
But seldom ventures he to gaze
With looks direct and open eye;
For well he knows — the urchin sly —
But one such look his guile betrays.
His tongue, that seems to have left just then
His mother's breast, discourses sweet,
And forms his lisping infant strain
In words scarce utter'd, half-complete;
Yet, wafted on a winged sigh,
And led by Flattery, gentle guide,
Unseen into the heart they fly,
Its coldness melt, and tame its pride.
In smiles that hide intended wo,
His ruddy lips are always dress'd,
As flowers conceal the listening crest
Of the coil'd snake that lurks below.
In carriage courteous, meek, and mild,
Humble in speech, and soft in look,
lie seems a wandering orphan child,
And asks a shelter in some nook
Or corner left unoccupied:
But, once admitted as a guest,
By slow degrees he lays aside
That lowly port and look distress' d —
Then insolent assumes his reign,
Displays his captious, high-bred airs,
His causeless pets and jealous fears,
His fickle fancy and unquiet brain.